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This is the ultra-modern £250 million six-star hotel being planned for the north bank of the Thames.
The provocative design by Will Alsop, which has been likened to a spaceship, will be built at Puddledock in Blackfriars on the site of a conference centre if City planners give it the go-ahead.
It will have a sheer-glass front looking onto the Thames and use translucent stone to clad the five-storey structure. The building, which has still to be named, is the latest in the boom in London hotel developments which has been largely prompted by the 2012 Olympics. A planning application has been submitted for this latest scheme by developers Heatherfield Ltd.
A spokeswoman for the project said: “The scheme will create a landmark stand-alone building that is intended to rejuvenate one of the few remaining major development sites in the City.”
The building's height was limited because of the proximity to St Paul's. It will include a double-height ballroom for 400 people, a spa, bars and restaurants and a roof-top terrace overlooking the Thames.
The 28,000 square metre hotel would replace the Mermaid Conference and Event Centre and an office building. It will be built on the site of the former Mermaid Theatre, the demolition of which was allowed despite opposition led by actors including Ralph Fiennes. As part of the scheme a pedestrian link to the Thames river walk will be created, giving it better connections to Blackfriars.
The Alsop scheme is one of many significant developments earmarked for the area. Others include the 557ft Jumeirah Tower and the 43-storey Doon Street Tower. It is also the latest in a series of planned London hotels. Lord Foster's designs for the first five-star hotel for Heathrow won planning permission this year.
Six of the building's 13 storeys are underground because the area has height limits to accommodate low-flying planes. Also being planned is a conversion of a former fire station in Manchester Square, Marylebone, by Andre Balazs, the owner of the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles.
The Swiss Centre in Leicester Square and the former Playboy casino in Park Lane are in the process of being converted into hotels.
Westminster council has given permission for 1,500 extra hotel rooms in the borough in the past year and the hotel building sector shows no sign of being slowed.
Reader views (23)
On its own a beautiful design,however sandwiched incongruously in between two distressingly ugly buildings it looks absurd. Surely the challenge for architects must be to attempt to make some kind of synthesis without total compromise. Perhaps the neighbouring buildings could also be demolished after all this must be one of the most iconic vistas on the Thames, it needs preserving.
- Catherine, London, 04/06/2009 00:18
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I go to BBC concerts at the Mermaid and it really is the BEST venue I've been to - so intimate, with a fabulous view of the performers. I was lucky enough to get tickets to see Andrea Bocelli there with the BBC Concert Orchestra, he was standing and singing just a few feet away from our seats - much better than the vast O2. What a shame it is closing - this is the first I've heard of it! I so hope something can be done to stop its demolition.
- Deborah Wallis, London. U.K., 27/05/2009 11:03
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Oh goody more tupperware architecture...
- Pete, Derby. England, 27/05/2009 08:14
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This fat slug of a building will look sooo dated soo quickly - Blob architecture has had its day - is this really the best we can do on so prominent a site? Its got 'large male ego' written all over it, lets hope the recession kills this one too!
- Thomas, London, 26/05/2009 23:00
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Another?
Care to elaborate how the Dome is a white elephant Jim?
- Dt, Harrow, UK, 26/05/2009 21:49
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Super! How many MPs will it hold?
- Frank, BONCATH, WALES, 26/05/2009 18:28
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"Jock": you are criticising people for failing to develop independent thought on the High Street, but at the same time you are criticising a design for a building for not being traditional enough and showing signs of too much independent thought. You can't have it both ways, what do you want?
Personally I think the building appears to jut out a bit too much, but apart from that it's quite a nice building, and it will be good to have something fresh to replace some of the concrete monstrosities out there. Not to mention, its height is sympathetic to the surroundings - what else do you want? Another ugly concrete block to 'fit in' with the surrounding buildings?
- Mark Lee, Vauxhall, 26/05/2009 17:23
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What a stunning piece of architecture - something London really needs and lets hope Prince Charles gives his seal of approval rather than suggesting it's another carbuncle!! This has a real wow factor about it and in such a great position.
- Kim, Watford, 26/05/2009 17:20
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ANOTHER WHITE ELEPHANT TRY TO MAKE LONDON BETTER FOR HEAVENS SAKE LOOK AT THE DOME CARBUNCLE ANOTHER LABOUR DISASTER,
- Jim Fennessey, london, 26/05/2009 17:10
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It beggars belief.........................
- Roy, london, 26/05/2009 16:55
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I rather like it myself and do not think that it is inappropriate in this setting. We should not just knee jerk reject any modern architecture just because it is modern. Good design is not only about copying previous building styles it can also be about high quality modern buildings too. The trick is to choose the right design for the space and place.
- Matt, London, UK, 26/05/2009 16:27
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As someone who is vehemently opposed to the current Chelsea scheme, I actually rather like this. (Though it is a shame to lose the Mermaid, a place I have visited in times past).
There is nothing wrong with modern architecture, so long as it doesn't dominate and destroy its local environment - which this doesn't.
As Glennm said, it's far more attractive than it's Godforsaken neighbours...
- John, London, 26/05/2009 15:04
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First a tower that looks like a shard of glass, and now a hotel that looks like a spaceship. Are the planners intent on ruining London? The councils have already done a fine job in turning many high streets into clone zones for the sheople who can't think for themselves and have to have brand names.
- Jock, London, 26/05/2009 15:04
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Looks great! What it does, though, is show up the dirty and bland boxy office buildings to either side. hopefully they'll both be pulled down soon and replaced with something to match the standard of the proposed hotel.
- Mandycake, Wimbledon, 26/05/2009 15:01
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How can this development be accused of spoiling our heritage? It is not being built on an existing historic building and London's architecture needs to reflect the city's 21st century diversity as well as it's historicity (as it already does, and in a spectacular way). I attended the first night of Puddle Dock theatre opened by Sir Bernard Miles - it was modern, but what an atmosphere!
London is a vibrant modern city with a fascinating past, so let's enjoy both, as the concession to the St Paul's view reflects - unless HRH wishes to get involved (uncalled for, but I couldn't resist it)!
Peter London
- Peter, London. UK, 26/05/2009 14:39
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Outdated already - it looks like something out of the 1960s
- Trunk, US, 26/05/2009 14:25
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So, farewell then, Mermaid Theatre. More Mammon in the City! So it's yet 'unnamed'? Too much to hope for 'Mermaid Hotel' - More likely 'Royale Plaza Jumblie Holiday City Inn', AKA 'The Gawk'.
- Steve, London, England, 26/05/2009 14:13
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Don't agree that people come to London for the history.
Personally I come for the theatres and shops, although I also enjoy walking through the Capital's famous streets.
- Scotty, Cambridge UK, 26/05/2009 12:45
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It juts out from its neighbours rather too much, but apart from that the design is handsome, sleek and interesting. Bring it on!
- John, Biggleswade, 26/05/2009 12:16
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Who would want to stay in a hotel in London shaped like a glass spaceship? People come to London for the history and want to stay in beautiful old buildings. Nobody wants this rubbish being built to cash in on the Olympics! Put it in the east with all the other freaky architecture like the Dome.
- Frank, London, 26/05/2009 10:25
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I think it looks fab, much more attractive than the buildings on either side.
London's landscape is not sacred. It is constantly changing and going down 13 floors is a great way of protecting the skyline while allowing more development.
More new architecture please.
It would also be nice however to open up the views to St Paul's even more. We should make the most of the built environment, both new and old.
- Glennm, London, 26/05/2009 09:45
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"Spaceship hotel"...
Who gave this thing such a stupid name?
Looks like a boat missin it's top half.
Then again, can't really tell with one single computer generated picture. I'm sure everyone else will critise, blame Bush/Blar/ the mayor, etc etc. Yawn!
- Maurits, London, 26/05/2009 09:39
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it looks ridiculous it will look worse in 10-15 years time !! in sight of St Paul's also - shame -time to reign in developers-London is not and architects playground and it is not Dubai!! -planners must complete the job they are paid to do.London is a sacred landscape !!there must be something of merit as an alternative-please
- Keith G Skelton, Colombo : Sri Lanka, 26/05/2009 09:13
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